Core 2 duo Overclock - Intel G41 Chipset - Asus P5G41T-M LX V2
Overclocking a Core 2 duo e7500 (3M Cache, 2.93 Ghz, 1066 Mhz FSB) on Asus P5G41T-M LX V2 is simple but remember that chipsets like (Intel) g41, g43 or anything under, have an FSB wall of 344~345 Mhz, which means that overclocking FSB beyond that wall won't be a stable overclock (PC wont POST or you will get blue screens every second after login into windows).
This time I bought this board which is a really decent ASUS one, simple BIOS management, great features, advanced protection system and what I like most, the Asus Overcloking Failure feature which will reset your CPU Bios parameters if you did a wrong overclocking that PC won't post or get no display/beeps etc.
Here are the results given with this board so far,
- Stock: 2,9 Ghz @ 1066Mhz @ 266.5
- Peak: 3,7 Ghz @ 1376 Mhz @ 344.5 (not recommended for 24/7)
- Stable OC spot: 3,5 Ghz @ 1300.4 Mhz @ 325.1 (using this cfg for 8 months without issues)
(click on image for full size)
As you can see it overclocks easy, I have another core 2 duo e6320 1.8 Ghz which I overclocked nice to 2,4 Mhz (again using a max. 344 Mhz, beyond that I got BSOD) of course this isn't a chip designed for overclocking but definitely it's a good one to start with your first overclocking, if you desire to pass the 344 mhz wall that this chipset has, go for the intel p45 which will let you OC nicely beyond 500 Mhz.
If you have same board and want to try your first overclock I would suggest you do the following (same things I did to achieve 3,7ghz):
First of all, don't use programs, don't overclock from the OS, it's not good, do it all the time from the BIOS.
1.From the BIOS menu, select JumperFree Configuration.
2. Set AI overclocking to: [MANUAL]
3. Set CPU Frequency to: 343 or 344 MHz
4.Set DRAM Frequency to 1376 (never Auto)
5. PCI Express Freq. to: 100 Mhz (mandatory)
6. Memory Voltage to whatever your Vendor default voltage requires. In my case I set it at 1.500000
7. CPU Vcore set it to: +50mv (this is definitely the key, if you don't set it to this, you will get BSOD every time at 344Mhz on this specific e7500 model. Notwithstanding this, it wasn't neccesary on my e6320 1,8Ghz @ 2,4 Ghz to change the vcore because it worked charmly good at 344Mhz. Furthermore +50mv is not a huge voltage increase, let's say your CPU default voltage is 1.4V then a +50mv equals 1.45V which isn't a big step.
8. Last but not least, monitor your CPU Temperatures, use Asus PC Probe II that comes in the Installation CD of this board. I'm using Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound and temps do not pass the 50°c barrier at full load (I live on a city where average weather is 32-40°c, also this is a well-known excellent compound for this specific uses. Max. temperature for almost every core 2 duo model is 74.1°c but to me a temperature of 65°c it's not normal for a 24/7 use.
My pc specs:
-Core 2 duo e7500 Wolfdale 2,9 Ghz
-ASUS P5G41-TM LX V2 (same shit as LX USA version and LX PLUS, the instructions manual that comes with my board says it's for the LX and LX PLUS, and doing some research I found that they share the same specs, features, etc.)
-G.Skill RipJawsX 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24 F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (no need to talk abt it :D)
-CoolerMaster SickleFlow 120mm
-Delta Electronics DPS-250AB 250w (it's a ok psu, a bit under average)
-Win 7 Ultimate ~ WinXp Professional x64
Update 15/05/13
As I manifested in the results above, I've found a stable OC using this e7500 and the asus mobo after 8-10 months of use, here are more screenshots of the BIOS JumperFree Config, Asus PC ProbeII and also CPU-Z, my recommendation is that you try to keep your temp low as possible, I'm not using advanced cooler system but I have an average vents that allows fine air flow.
Happy Overclocking ;)
